Machine for making hanging file folders

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for making hanging file folders of the type having a strip of metal along opposite sides and by means of which the folder can be hung on two parallel hangers. The apparatus includes means for transferring a V-shaped rod from a stack and to a swingable transfer arm, the swingable transfer arm then transferring the rod to the edge of the file blank for being clamped therealong. The apparatus also includes pressure pads for holding the stack of rods and releasing the lowermost rod at the appropriate time so that it can be picked up by the pick-up arms. A machine for forming file folder blanks from a web, and automatically applying a rod on each of opposite sides of said blanks, said machine employing an apparatus of the above type at each side of the path of movement of said blanks.

[ 51 Oct. 24, 1972 154] MACHINE FOR MAKING HANGING FILE FOLDERS [72}Inventor: Arthur H. Kidd, menomonee Falls,

Wis.

[73] Assignee: Condes Corporation, Milwaukee,

Wis.

[22] Filed: Feb.25,l971

[21] Appl. No.: 118,691

152] U.S. Cl. ..29/211 D, 29/509 I51] Int. Cl. ..B23q 7/10 58 Field ofSearch ..29/2l1 R, 211 D, 509

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,086,573 4/1963 Adams..29/2l1 D 3,346,941 10/1967 Parry ..29/509 3,451,120 6/1969 Herzig..29/509 Primary Examiner-John F. Campbell Assislant Examiner-Donald P.Rooney Attorney-James E. Nilles [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for makinghanging file folders of the type having a strip of metal along oppositesides and by means of which the folder can be hung on two parallelhangers. The apparatus includes means for transferring a V-shaped rodfrom a stack and to a swingable transfer arm, the swingable transfer armthen transferring the rod to the edge of the file blank for beingclamped therealong. The apparatus also includes pressure pads forholding the stack of rods and releasing the lowermost rod at theappropriate time so that it can be picked up by the pick-up arms.

A machine for forming file folder blanks from a web, and automaticallyapplying a rod on each of opposite sides of said blanks, said machineemploying an apparatus of the above type at each side of the path ofmovement of said blanks.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDumzmzz 3 699 633 sum 1 or sATTORNEY PATENTEIJnm 24 m2 SHEEY 2 BF 5 INVENTOR= ARTHUR H. KIDD BY= 5.77112. ATTORNEY PATENTEflum 24 m2 SHEET 3 0F 5 INVENTOR ARTHUR H. KIDDBY: W ATTORNEY PATENTEBnm 24 I972 SHEEI 0F 5 mOI PATENTEnucI 24 1972SHEU S [If 5 INVENTOR= ARTHUR H. KIDD ATTORNEY MACHINE FOR MAKINGHANGING FILE FOLDERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertainsto means for automatically applying a metal rod from a stack of rods andconveying it to a file folder blank for application to each of oppositesides thereto. I-Ieretofore, this process has been carried out largelyby hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a machine andapparatus therefor, for automatically applying a rod to each of twoopposite sides of a file folder blank which has been formed frompaperboard or the like. Such an apparatus is located on each side of thepath of movement of the blank, and the apparatus removes the lowermostrod from a supply stack of rods and swings the rod into position alongeach side of the blank where a die can then secure the rods to theblank. The apparatus also includes pressure pad means for holding thesupply stack of rods and releasing the lowermost rod in each stack sothat it can be picked up by pick-up arm means and delivered to timedtransfer arm means for engagement with the edge of the blank.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willappear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a schematic view of the rodadvancing mechanism and associated parts of a machine for producing ahanging file;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lefi hand rod advancing mechanismthat is located on the far side of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a development view of the rod advancing mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 in FIG. 3, showingthe rod latch and transfer arms on their respective rocker shafts, withthe addition of a clamping die;

FIG. 5 is a cross section similar to FIG. 4 taken on line 5-5 in FIG. 3showing the inside cam and follower that actuates the pressure pad torelease a rod into the rod latch, starting the cycle;

FIG. 5A is a view of the pressure pad removed from its pivotalconnection in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a view of the stationary cam and rod latch cam followerstarting its downward stroke after being loaded;

FIG. 6A is a view of the rod latch, removed from its pivotal connectionin FIG. 6 and shown in an upright position;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 in an advance condition with the rodlatch open and the transfer arm picking up a rod; and

FIG. 8 is a view of the transfer arm and associated parts. finallypositioning the rod on the hanging file material prior to clamping.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT General As shown in FIG. I, a rollof paperboard P or the like is fed by conventional feed rolls 1 to acutter bar 2 operated from crankshaft 2a, and the bar 2 cuts the webinto predetermined lengths that constitute blanks B. The blanks then arefed by the rolls 3 between apparatus A and AI located on each side ofthe blank. A scoring roll 4, driven by the web itself, acts to score alongitudinal centerline in the web so that the blank can ultimately befolded.

The apparatus A and Al, to be described in detail, act to apply a metal,V-shaped rod R to opposite sides of the blank and then the completedblank passes from the apparatus on rollers 5, where the finished blankcan be subsequently handled.

The apparatus A is shown in perspective in FIG. 2 and as apparatus A andA1 are similar, only one of them will be described hereinafier indetail.

Rod stacking means 6 are provided at each side of the blank and adjacenttheir respective apparatus, and these stacking means include a pair ofvertically arranged channel members 7, in which the ends of the rods areheld so that the rods can be stacked in a vertical direction with theiropen sides facing upwardly, as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

MAIN FRAME AND DIE The main frame of the machine includes a stationarylower member 8 (FIGS. 4, 5 and 8) which has a horizontally disposed diesecured thereto. A vertically shiftable frame member 9 and its die 9aare reciprocated in a vertical direction by the crankshaft 9b. Diecomplements die member 8a and acts therewith to clamp the rod R alongthe edge of the blank B after the rod has been delivered from the supplystack into engagement with the edge of the blank, as follows:

The apparatus A includes a steel fabricated frame 10 including bracketedattaching portions 10a (FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 8) by means of which theapparatus is secured to the main machine frame 8 by the bolt means 11. Aseries of four shafts 12, 20, 24 and 40 are rotatably journailed insuitable anti-friction bearings in the frame member 10 as follows.

POWER INPUT MEANS A power input shaft 12 receives power through its gear13 from a power source (not shown) and is continuously driven. A gear 14is fixed by key 15 to shaft 12. Also secured to shaft 12 are a pair ofcams l6 and 17 having interior cam tracks 16a and 17a, respectively.Another cam 18 is also fixed to shaft 12 and these cams will be referredto hereinafter.

Another shaft 20 has a gear 21 fixed to its outer end which is inconstant mesh with gear 14 and consequently is also continuously driven.A cam 22 is fixed to shaft 20 for the purpose of oscillating thetransfer shaft 24 journalled in the frame 10.

TRANSFER MEANS The transfer shaft 24 has a pair of transfer arms 25 and26 fixed thereto at spaced locations therealong and these transfer armshave an extending portion 28 (FIG. 8). These extending portions 28cooperate with the vertically disposed rod guide members 29 which arestationary and fixed to bracket members 10a. It will be noted that theupper surfaces 290 of the rod guide members are curved and cooperatewith the extending portions 28 of the transfer arms in holding andguiding the rods R as they are delivered from the pickup arms (to bedescribed), and into engagement with the blank B. The one transfer arm26 has a cam follower 30 fixed therewith on stub shaft 31, and this camfollower 30 follows the cam 22 which is fixed to shaft 20. Thus, thecontinuously rotating shafi and its cam 22 act to oscillate the transfershaft 24 and its pair of transfer arms 25 and 26. This oscillation isfrom the rearward position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to the fully extendedand lower position (shown by the broken line in FIG. 8) where the rod Ris pushed into embracing engagement with the blank B.

An air cylinder 34 (FIG. 4) connected to the frame of the apparatus andalso by pin 34a in an arm 35 fixed to shaft 24. The cylinder 34 iscontinuously biased to hold the cam follower 30 against the cam 22 fixedon shaft 20.

ROD PICK-UP MEANS The fourth shaft constitutes a pick-up shaft and has apair of pick-up arms 41 and 42 fixed thereto for oscillation therewith.The arms 41 and 42 oscillate between an upper position shown in FIG. 4,where they act to receive the rod R from the stacking means 6, and alowermost position (FIG. 7) where the transfer arms 25 and 26 act toremove the rod from these transfer arms 41 and 42. More specifically,the arms 41 and 42 have a generally upwardly extending V-shaped recess41a and 42a, respectively, in which the lowermost rod R in the supplystack is embraced.

Releasable latch means are provided for each of the transfer arms 41 and42 to positively hold the rod R in the V-shaped recess 41a and 42a untilthe rod is trans ferred to the transfer arms 25 and 26. These latchmeans are as follows.

A hook-like latch 46 (FIG. 5) is pivotally mounted at 47 on each of thearms 41 and 42. These latches each have a cam follower roller 48 attheir other end which rides on a stationary cam 49. Cams 49 are heldstationary by their brackets 49a. Cam 49 has a recessed surface 50 and araised surface 51. When roller 48 is on the recessed surface 50 (FIG. 5)the other, hook-end 46a of the latch 46 extends over the edge of loweredrod R (FIG. 6) and securely holds the rod in the pickup arms 41 and 42.Then, when shaft 40 rotates, roller 48 rides up on the raised portion 51of the stationary cam 49, thereby causing the hook-end of the latch towithdraw from the rod against the bias of spring 53, thereby releasingthe rod (FIG. 7) for transfer by arms 25 and 26.

An air cylinder 55 is connected between the frame 10 and the end of arm42 which is opposite to the end of arm 42 having the V-shaped recess42a. A cam follower roller 56 (FIGS. 4 and 6) is also mounted on arm 42and rides on cam 18. Thus, rotation of shaft 12 and its cam 18 causesoscillation of arms 41 and 42, as above described. Cylinder 55 biasesthe follower roller 56 against the cam l8.

Pressure pad means 43 and 44 are also connected with shaft 40 and asshown in FIG. 4 act to bear against that rod of the stack which isimmediately above the lowennost rod which has been latched and is readyto be moved away. These pressure pads hold the remaining rods inposition in the stack and prevent them from falling downwardly until theappropriate time when the lowermost rod is picked up by the pick-up arms41 and 42. More specifically, the pressure pad means 43 and 44 includean arm 43a pivoted at 45 (FIG. 5) to a hub 45a fixed on shaft 40, androller 45b is also carried on the hub 45a. Roller 45b rides in the camtrack 16a. Thereby, rotation of the cam 16 causes the pressure pad means43 and 44 to periodically bear against and hold the stack of rods, andthen periodically release the lowermost rod.

RESUME Thus, the pickup arms 41 and 42 when in the position shown inFIG. 4, engage the lowermost rod R and the pressure pads means 43 and 44at that time are holding this lowermost rod in the stacked position. Asthe shaft 40 rotates, the roller 45b drops in the recessed portion 16bof cam 16, thereby causing the pressure pad means to be removedmomentarily. from the lowermost rod. Rotation of shaft 40 causes thetransfer arms to swing downwardly carrying with it the lowermost rod,the pressure pad then again bearing against the subsequent rod in thestack to hold the stack in place.

The latches 46 are also released, from the rod being transferred, whenshaft 40 has rotated sufficiently to place the rod in transfer anns 25and 26.

After the transfer arms have placed the rods in embracing position alongopposite edges of the blank, the die members descend to clamp the rodshut and into binding engagement with the edges of the file folder blankthus completing the file folder.

I claim:

1. A machine for automatically applying hanger rods to two oppositesides of a file folder blank, said machine comprising, means foradvancing a web of paperboard or the like along a predetermined path,cutter means for severing said web into predetermined length blanks,scoring means for scoring said blanks, die means mounted on the machineand located along opposite edges of said blank as they move along saidpredetermined path, rod supply means located adjacent each of said diemeans, and apparatus located at each side of said blank forautomatically removing rods from said supply means and applying saidrods to each of said opposite edges of said blank, said apparatuscomprising; a frame, pick-up means mounted in said frame and swingablebetween a rod pick-up position adjacent said rod supply means and atransfer position away from said supply means, transfer means mounted insaid frame and swingable between (1) said transfer position forreceiving a rod from said pick-up means and (2) a rod applying positionin which the rod is caused to embrace said edge of said blank, and meansmounted in said machine and connected with and for operating saidpick-up means and said transfer means in timed relationship with oneanother; and means for operating said die means for securing said rodsto said edges of said blanks.

2. The machine set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes rodguide means in said frame for cooperation with said transfer means inguiding and transferring said rod from said transfer position to saidrod applying position.

3. The machine set forth in claim 1 wherein said pick-up means includesreleasable latch means for holding said rod in said pick-up means.

4. The machine set forth in claim 2 wherein said pick-up means includesreleasable latch means for holding said rod in said pick-up means.

5. The machine set forth in claim 1 including releasable pressure padmeans for abutting against the rods in said supply means to preventinadvertent release of a rod from said supply means.

6. Apparatus for automatically applying a hanger rod to a file folderblank and comprising; a frame having means for mounting adjacent theedge of a movable blank and also adjacent a rod supply means for holdingrods to be secured to said blank, pick-up means mounted in said frameand swingable between a rod pick-up position adjacent said rod supplymeans and a transfer position away from said rod supply means, transfermeans mounted in said frame and swingable between l said transferposition for receiving said rod from said pick-up means and (2) a rodapplying position in which the rod is caused to embrace said edge ofsaid blank, and means connected with and for operating said pick-upmeans and said transfer means in timed relationship with one another.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 including rod guide means in saidframe for cooperation with said transfer means in guiding andtransferring said rod from said transfer position to said rod applyingposition.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said pick-up meansincludes releasable latch means for holding said rod in said pick-upmeans.

9. The apparatus set forth in claim 7 wherein said pick-up meansincludes releasable latch means for holding said rod in said pick-upmeans.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 including releasable pressure padmeans for abutting against the rods in said rod supply means to preventinadvertent release of a rod from said supply means.

11. Apparatus for automatically applying a hanger rod to a file folderblank and comprising; a frame having means for mounting adjacent theedge of a movable blank and also adjacent a rod supply means for holdingrods to be secured to said blank, releasable pressure pad means forabutting against the rods in said rod supply means to preventinadvertent release of a rod from said supply means, pick-up meansmounted in said frame and swingable between a rod pick-up positionadjacent said rod supply means and a transfer position away from saidrod supply means, said pick-up means including releasable latch meansfor holding said rod in said pick-up means, transfer means mounted insaid frame and swingable between (1) said transfer position forreceiving said rod from said pick-up means and (2) a rod applyingposition in which the rod is caused to embrace said edge of said blank,rod guide means in said frame for cooperation with said transfer meansin guiding and transferring said rod from said transfer sition to saidrod a l in sition, nd means ccii'lhected with and for oq si ati ng aidpick up means and said transfer means in timed relationship with oneanother.

12. A machine for automatically applying hanger rods to two oppositesides of a file folder blank, said machine comprising, means foradvancing a web of paperboard or the like along a predetermined path,cutter means for severing said web into predetermined length blanks,scoring means for scoring said blanks, die means mounted on said machineand located along opposite edges of said blank as they move along saidpredetermined path, rod supply means for holding a stack of rods andlocated adjacent each of said die means, releasable pressure pad meansfor abutting against the rods in said supply means to prevent inadvertent release of a rod from said supply means, and apparatus locatedat each side of said blank for automatically removing rods from saidsupply means and applying said rods to each of said opposite edges ofsaid blank, said apparatus comprising; a frame, pick-up means mounted insaid frame and swingable between a rod pick-up position adjacent saidrod supply means and a transfer position away from said supply means,said pick-up means including releasable latch means for holding said rodin said pick-up means, transfer means mounted in said frame andswingable between l said transfer position for receiving a rod from saidpick-up means and (2) a rod applying position in which the rod is causedto embrace said edge of said blank, rod guide means in said frame forcooperation with said transfer means in guiding and transferring saidrod from said transfer position to said rod applying position, and meansconnected with and for operating said pick-up means and said transfermeans in timed relationship with one another; and means for operatingsaid die means for securing said rods to said edges of said blanks.

13. A machine for automatically applying hanger rods to two oppositesides of a file folder blank, said machine comprising, means foradvancing a web of paperboard or the like along a predetermined path,cutter means for severing said web into predetermined length blanks,scoring means for scoring said blanks, die means mounted on said machineand located along opposite edges of said blank as they move along saidpredetermined path, rod supply means located adjacent each of said diemeans and for supporting a stack of rods, and shiftable means located ateach side of said blank and engageable with the lowermost rods of saidstacks for automatically removing said rods from said supply means andapplying said rods to each of said opposite edges of said blank; andmeans for operating said die means for securing said rods to said edgesof said blanks.

1. A machine for automatically applying hanger rods to two oppositesides of a file folder blank, said machine comprising, means foradvancing a web of paperboard or the like along a predetermined path,cutter means for severing said web into predetermined length blanks,scoring means for scoring said blanks, die means mounted on the machineand located along opposite edges of said blank as they move along saidpredetermined path, rod supply means located adjacent each of said diemeans, and apparatus located at each side of said blank forautomatically removing rods from said supply means and applying saidrods to each of said opposite edges of said blank, said apparatuscomprising; a frame, pick-up means mounted in said frame and swingablebetween a rod pick-up position adjacent said rod supply means and atransfer position away from said supply means, transfer means mounted insaid frame and swingable between (1) said transfer position forreceiving a rod from said pick-up means and (2) a rod applying positionin which the rod is caused to embrace said edge of said blank, and meansmounted in said machine and connected with and for operating saidpick-up means and said transfer means in timed relationship with oneanother; and means for operating said die means for securing said rodsto said edges of said blanks.
 2. The machine set forth in claim 1wherein said apparatus includes rod guide means in said frame forcooperation with said transfer means in guiding and transferring saidrod from said transfer position to said rod applying position.
 3. Themachine set forth in claim 1 wherein said pick-up means includesreleasable latch means for holding said rod in said pick-up means. 4.The machine set forth in claim 2 wherein said pick-up means includesreleasable latch means for holding said rod in said pick-up means. 5.The machine set forth in claim 1 including releasable pressure pad meansfor abutting against the rods in said supply means to preventinadvertent release of a rod from said supply means.
 6. Apparatus forautomatically applying a hanger rod to a file folder blank andcomprising; a frame having means for mounting adjacent the edge of amovable blank and also adjacent a rod supply means for holding rods tobe secured to said blank, pick-up means mounted in said frame andswingable between a rod pick-up position adjacent said rod supply meansand a transfer position away from said rod supply means, transfer meansmounted in said frame and swingable between (1) said transfer positionfor receiving said rod from said pick-up means and (2) a rod applyingposition in which the rod is caused to embrace said edge of said blank,and means connected with and for operating said pick-up means and saidtransfer means in timed relationship with one another.
 7. The apparatusset forth in claim 6 including rod guide means in said frame forcooperation with said transfer means in guiding and transferring saidrod from said transfer position to said rod applying position.
 8. Theapparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said pick-up means includesreleasable latch means for holding said rod in said pick-up means. 9.The apparatus set forth in claim 7 wherein said pick-up means includesreleasable latch means for holding said rod in said pick-up means. 10.The apparatus set forth in claim 6 including releasable pressure padmeans for abutting against the rods in said rod supply means to preventinadvertent release of a rod from said supply means.
 11. Apparatus forautomatically applying a hanger rod to a file folder blank andcomprising; a frame having means for mounting adjacent the edge of amovable blank and also adjacent a rod supply means for holding rods tobe secured to said blank, releasable pressure pad means for abuttingagainst the rods in said rod supply means to prevent inadvertent releaseof a rod from said supply means, pick-up means mounted in said frame andswingable between a rod pick-up position adjacent said rod supply meansand a transfer position away from said rod supply means, said pick-upmeans including releasable latch means for holding said rod in saidpick-up means, transfer means mounted in said frame and swingablebetween (1) said transfer position for receiving said rod from saidpick-up means and (2) a rod applying position in which the rod is causedto embrace said edge of said blank, rod guide means in said frame forcooperation with said transfer means in guiding and transferring saidrod from said transfer position to said rod applying position, and meansconnected with and for operating said pick-up means and said transfermeans in timed relationship with one another.
 12. A machine forautomatically applying hanger rods to two opposite sides of a filefolder blank, said machine comprising, means for advancing a web ofpaperboard or the like along a predetermined path, cutter means forsevering said web into predetermined length blanks, scoring means forscoring said blanks, die means mounted on said machine and located alongopposite edges of said blank as they move along said predetermined path,rod supply means for holding a stack of rods and located adjacent eachof said die means, releasable pressure pad means for abutting againstthe rods in said supply means to prevent inadvertent release of a rodfrom said supply means, and apparatus located at each side of said blankfor automatically removing rods from said supply means and applying saidrods to each of said opposite edges of said blank, said apparatuscomprising; a frame, pick-up means mounted in said frame and swingablebetween a rod pick-up position adjacent said rod supply means and atransfer position away from said supply means, said pick-up meansincluding releasable latch means for holding said rod in said pick-upmeans, transfer means mounted in said frame and swingable between (1)said transfer position for receiving a rod from said pick-up means and(2) a rod applying position in which the rod is caused to embrace saidedge of said blank, rod guide means in said frame for cooperation withsaid transfer means in guiding and transferring said rod from saidtransfer position to said rod applying position, and means connectedwith and for operating said pick-up means and said transfer means intimed relationship with one another; and means for operating said diemeans for securing said rods to said edges of said blanks.
 13. A machinefor automatically applying hanger rods to two opposite sides of a filefolder blank, said machine comprising, means for advancing a web ofpaperboard or the like along a predetermined path, cutter means forsevering said web into predetermined length blanks, scoring means forscoring said blanks, die means mounted on said machine and located alongopposite edges of said blank as they move along said predetermined path,rod supply means located adjacent each of said die means and forsupporting a stack of rods, and shiftable means located at each side ofsaid blank and engageable with the lowermost rods of said stacks forautomatically removing said rods from said supply means and applyingsaid rods to each of said opposite edges of said blank; and means foroperating said die means for securing said rods to said edges of saidblanks.